Inscribed uper left 'Charles Pym Esqr of St. Kitts. B. D.1740.' The sitter within a feigned oval.
Charles Pym was a member of an ancient English family, first found in Somerset. Like Charles, other members of the family sought their fortunes overseas....
The Charles Pym depicted here was a wealthy and important sugar plantation owner in St. Kitt's (also known then as St. Christopher's).
In 1727 he was a significant figure in the Federated Colony of the Leeward Islands...St.Kitt's, Nevis, Antigua and Montserrat. He was a Member of the Council of Antigua in 1725/6 and 1727/8, and on 18 September 1733 a Member of the Council of Basseterre.
Pym had a daughter, Priscilla, who inherited her father's considerable wealth on his death in 1740.
A very eligible heiress, she married Lord Romney in August 1742. They had five children, of whom the first-born was named Charles, after his grandfather.
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These wealthy entrepreneurs with estates in the Caribbean often returned to England to have their portraits painted and Pym could certainly afford Kneller..the most fashionable artist of his time.
Charles is shown with the well-fed self-satisfied look of the rich of the period. It will be noticed that depite living in the West Indies his skin is untanned; only peasants and outdoor workers were browned by the sun...it was regarded as very low class.
SIR GODFREY KNELLER (1646 - 1723) was the most profound influence on late 17th and 18th c. portraiture. By 1679 he had painted the King and remained the most famous and successful portrait painter in England; in 1688 he was appointed Principal Painter to the King.
SIZE: 36.5 x 31.75 inches inc. frame
PROVENANCE: Suffolk private collection.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art Profile Page
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Sold....portrait of Charles Pym Esquire C.1710; Attributed to Sir Godfrey Kneller
